Graduation Year

2023

Date of Submission

4-2023

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Intercollegiate Media Studies

Reader 1

Professor James Morrison

Abstract

This thesis examines the digital presence of Muslim women on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as a means of reclaiming their identity and religious positionality within the globalized media network. The study explores how Muslim fashion influencers use social media to challenge their stereotypical representation perpetuated by the Western media. This paper employs a feminist approach to analyze the intersection of piety, gender, and religion through the lens of dress codes, specifically the Hijab, and the performance of piety within online spaces. Drawing from fashion theory and Judith Butler's theory of performativity, the thesis analyzes the visual and textual discourse of Muslim fashion influencers and their impact on the social positionality of Muslim. Using a case study approach this paper analyzes the content of two Muslim female Instagram influencers, Leah Vernon and Dina Tokio, to evaluate their success in challenging stereotypes associated with Muslim women. The findings highlight the multiplicity that exists within the identities of Muslim women as they attempt to reframe the notion of modesty and argues that the emerging visibility of Muslim women on social media and in the fashion, industry represents a positive shift from how Muslim women have been traditionally portrayed in the media.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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